Needs Must...But What Do We Really Need?

A quick update: Success (of a sort)!  I managed to find a pharmacy that could fill my scrip.  Unfortunately, the scrip had expired by the time I did.  I'm getting a new one this week.  Hopefully they'll still have it.  I've temporarily handed over all the powers of the Executive until such time as I am ready to resume the responsibility (What I wouldn't give to have my own Josh, Toby, Sam, C.J., and Leo.  And Donna...hmmmmmm...whuh?  Oh, sorry.  Let's move on.).

Anyway, life keeps a-moving.  Plans continue to be made for the wedding, which will be in October.  We've more or less picked a venue, and we're now negotiating the guest list.  Neither one of us being particularly traditional (except when it comes to Celtic music), this is going to be a pretty low-key affair.  Think of a Halloween party that just happens to be taking place at the same time as a marriage ceremony.  We may even decide to make costumes optional.  I wonder what the Misfits are doing that day...

One of the things we talked about is the fact that, really, there isn't all that much we need.  We've got kitchen stuff, china, linens, appliances, etc., so it's not like we're starting out fresh (although, if it were possible to register for a Swiss bank account, we'd be open to advice on how).  Obviously, if someone wants to buy us something, we'd be grateful for the gesture and the gift.  Who doesn't like getting presents?  We've registered for some fun things at Amazon, and will probably do the same with Target, for our older relatives who aren't as web-savvy.  What we're asking people to do is make a donation to one (or even all, if it's within your means) of these three charities.

My folks have been giving to My Brother's Keeper for years.  They met the founders while on Cursillo (which, for those who don't know, is a religious retreat).  They are the very definition of practicing what you preach, providing furniture, clothes, food, and other essentials to low income families in need.  They do these things in the name of their Christian faith.  Now, I'm not particularly religious, and I'm not a fan of evangelicals (not that they are, I'm just saying).  But I've always held that, if your faith gives you comfort and inspires you to do good works, then more power to you.  You could not find a better example of this than My Brother's Keeper.

Jess' family has given to Boys Town over the years.  If you've seen the Spencer Tracy/Mickey Rooney classic, you pretty much have an idea of what their deal is.  Since that film was made, they've expanded their services to meet the needs of the times, and they're now open to all families, not just boys.  They've also expanded from one location in Nebraska to several regional centers, including one in New England.

Jess and I chose Punks for a Princess, an organization founded by my friend Tony Soly.  They started in 2008 in response to the heartbreaking loss of his 7-year old niece, and they give money to various charities helping children in need.  There's actually a campaign going on right now on the Indie-Go-Go website to help raise some funds to cover some of their administrative costs.  They're looking to raise at least $5,000.00, and as of this writing, they have 25 days and just under $2,000.00 to go.  If you're into punk music and paraphanelia, they have some really neat premium incentives for certain dollar amount donations, so check it out.

We've got a lot of good things in our lives, not the least of which is each other and our families.  And the things young engaged couples usually ask for, we pretty much already have.  The things we absolutely need are things that only we can provide for ourselves, so why not make our day a time to help those who need it most?

Make the donation in our name, your own name, or the name of someone you want to honor.  All we ask is that you take a look at what these organizations have to offer, and give till it feels good.  That's more than enough of a gift for us.